Navigating Nature, Resilience at Olanrewaju Atanda’s ‘Feathered Friends’ Show in Glasgow

Yinka Olatunbosun

With over 60 artworks rendered in paintings, drawings, prints, photography, sculpture and mixed media all centred on birds, select artists amplified the creative energy in Glasgow, Scotland in the show from a mix of Project Ability’s studio artists and external contributors, selected by an independent panel of four jurors.

One of the participating artists, Nigerian-born visual artist Olanrewaju Atanda is exhibiting a new oil painting in this ‘Feathered Friends’ exhibition at Project Ability as the festive group show continues to celebrate birds, conservation and artistic voices from around the world.

The annual exhibition is bringing together more than 60 artists whose works explore the symbolism of birds and their enduring relationship with humanity. Hosted by Project Ability, the exhibition is currently running from November 6 through December 20 and is attracting collectors, curators and arts audiences from across the UK and beyond.

This year, the exhibition’s open call expanded its reach, welcoming national and international submissions. A panel of independent jurors selected works that capture both imagination and empathy resulting in a show that is as heartfelt as it is visually captivating.

Atanda’s featured work, Gazing Upon The Lord, is commanding attention for its emotionally direct realism and spiritual depth. The oil-on-canvas painting depicts a bald eagle in quiet upward focus, set against a layered green bokeh background. The work is created at a time of deep personal reflection and draws inspiration from Isaiah 40:31, symbolising renewal, endurance and the promise of restored strength.

“I am using this work to speak about hope in moments of weakness,” Atanda says. “The eagle becomes a metaphor for survival, for rising, and for divine renewal.”

Curators are positioning the exhibition as one of Scotland’s most inclusive seasonal shows, with proceeds supporting artists and Project Ability’s ongoing work with people with disabilities and mental health challenges. The exhibition is also partnering with bird conservation organisations to raise awareness of environmental stewardship across the UK.

This year’s collaboration with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) adds a unique educational and environmental dimension, with information areas and giveaways enriching the visitor experience.

At its heart, Feathered Friends celebrates the voices of artists who create within Project Ability’s supported studios – programmes designed for adults with learning disabilities, individuals with lived experience of mental ill health, and young people with complex support needs.